What is a good laptop computer

[mazdarotary]

Hey guys I am thinking of gettig a laptop computer. I was wondering what would be a good brand to get?I don't need a million programs loaded on it that I won't use,but I would like to be able to watch DVD's on it,and maybe check e-mail and get on the net with out wires(for when I am on the road). I am heading to a stste without sales tax this week on vacation,maybe I could get one while I was up there and save some money. Any suggestions as to a brand I am open to ideas. Thanks again.





Chris

 

[Bertram65]

Dell, get a decent Inspiron model with the 3 year next bussiness day on site warrantee parts and labor. In my opinion Dell does the best job of keeping track of thier machines and providing support or warrantee. They are reasonably priced and well made. Inspiron is the lower level Dell laptop, Latitude is the higher end. I have bought Latitudes for the last 4 years and just started buying Inspirons for work the model I have used is 1150, so far they have been very good. I have also bought a number of IBM laptops recently they are decent but the support is not as good and they are slightly more expensive.

 

[klenger]

Dell

 

[GFritsch]

I use a pc (IBM) for my work computer and a Apple Powerbook at home (wifes ). I would say that if the computer is going to be used for creative things like storing and editing photos/music and internet I would strongly recommend the MAC. The one thing Apple doesn't have yet is wireless internet. It will use hot spots like a pc, but no wireless card yet. The wireless card will allow you to get online anywhere you get a cell signal for the service you are using. My work computer is set up with one of these cards and it is nice, although only as fast as a dial up service, and expensive (around 80 bucks a month I am told)

 

[KBennett]

I will put my vote in for Dell. We have about 10 laptops and 20 desktops in our company with very little problems. I had a Toshiba before this Dell and it was a good machine also.

 

[E7mack96]

I recommend Dell laptos.



Inspirion 8600 is a good machine for dvd. Get the uxga resolution. The DVD rocks.

 

[rmrc]

It's already been said,,,,,,,,, DELL, without a question!!!!!!

 

[JyRO]

A good laptop is one that is not a bad laptop.



I have an Dell Inspiron 1100 (boat anchor - heavy), but wanted a Latitude (much nicer IMO).



- JyRO

 

[FATCAT]

Sony VIAO ... bullet proof. Or IBM.

 

[Patriot Diesel]

like it hasn't been said already

Currently I have a Dell Latitude D800 and D600 at work and a Dell Inspiron 9100 for personal use. Love them all...



I have owned or had experience with IBM, HP, Sony, Dell, Gateway, Compaq, Toshiba, eMachines and a few others I can't think of right now.



One thing I have noticed is that some brands seem to be much more "sturdy" or "well made" than others...



Some do seem quite flimsy to me... which I can't have in a laptop...



Another important thing to look at is screen quality and resolution. Many of the lower priced laptops I have seen sacrifice screen resolution and clarity to keep the price down.



I've had at least 7 Dell laptops and overall the experience has been a very good one. . I will continue to buy their products...



Hey Mike... ya listening?... how about a discount on the next one...

 

[HENCHR]

IBM, Dell, HP and Compaq are all good. I use IBM and HP at work and the HP's take a ton of abuse and keep on going. I have an HP omniBook that I take in the field with me, I don't know how many times I've dropped it or something has fallen on it but it keeps on going. I havent had my IBM long enough, but the cd drive was bad right out if the box, other then that its seems like a nice machine. I use a Compaq presario at home, its a reliable machine but I wouldnt want to drop it, plastic seems very thin.

 

[BarryG]

Here at work we have used a variety of them (toshiba, compaq, hp, gateway) but none of them have held up near as well as the Dells. I am using an inspirion 5000e and it is a boat anchor and would not want to haul it around on airplanes frequently (it is heavy and has 15" screen) it is 4 years old I think and has not given me one bit of trouble. It suits my needs perfectly as it is also my main desktop I just use a docking station at work and haul it around when needed which admitedly isn't all that often (few times a week). The newer Dells are or can be much lighter and toter friendly.

 

[MBFARMS]

Go with a Dell or IBM. I am a computer tech and have worked on all of them. Dell and IBM seem to hold up the best. I prefer Dell because of their service and support, not to mention price. Stay far, far away from Compaq Presarios. I used to work in a Compaq repair facility that also worked on the other brands. 75% of our work was on Compaq Presarios. We even started calling them Pretty Sorry O's. Whatever you go with make sure to get the 3 year service plan. Laptop parts aren't cheap. Motherboards are from $500- $1200. The LCD if you drop it is not covered, but is $600-$1300. These prices also depends on brand. Then you have 1-2 hours labor on top of that. :--) You pay large premiums for the mobility.

 

[PC12Driver]

For the past two years our company has used Dell Latitudes exclusively just for the sake of good support. We purchase the 3 or 4 year Complete Care coverage (something like $100/year), and that will cover EVERYTHING, including accidents (dropping the machine, spilling something in it, etc). We've had 1 replaced because it made smoke (it was a C840 and they replaced it with a new D800 because of the fire/smoke claim), and I had the LCD display replaced on another because the fellow packed it to tight in his bag (it was repaired on site the day after I made the call). We've had zero problems with the rest (about 20).



Another tidbit about Dells; Latitude support is in Texas and Inspiron support is in India. For that reason alone the Latitude would be the way to go.

 

[FATCAT]

Before you get that laptop ... read this article

Check this article out.

 

[skobylenski]

I know it's already been said, but Apple has one of the best wireless network systems. The wireless card/antenna, is all internal on Apples, as opposed to most Windows based machines which require a PCI-slot mounted, external antenna, wireless card. It's just one more thing to worry about when putting the computer away to transport it. If you don't remove it, you'll break it off ($60+ down the drain). I know people who use Dell machines, and they all LOVE them, although they are heavy. It's all a matter of what you want to use your computer for. Music, video, and some word processing is better with a Mac, but most of the word processing programs are more Windows friendly, although not impossible to use on a Mac.

 

[Patriot Diesel]

actually... most if not all of the Windows or Linux based laptops that are being made now either come with an internal wireless card and antenna or it is an option. All three of my Dell's have internal wireless network cards and antennas... very nice. .

 

[skobylenski]

Oh, I stand corrected... that's news to me I was just going off of what I've seen that was new 1 year ago. Thanks for the update though. I don't tend to keep up on the fine details unless I'm in the market for something



Just curious, what Dells are you running?

 

[Patriot Diesel]

Dell pricing can vary so much because they have so many different models... as little as $700 or as much as $3500+/-



Mine are in the mid to upper 2's...

 

[HoleshotHolset]

My vote is for an IBM ThinkPad or a Panasonic Toughbook... the VAIOs are pretty tough too...



Matt